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Just running a tank with plants and co2 will not get you a cycled tank reef12. The bacteria needed will have to evolve from something and plants wont do it.
If you know someone with a cycled tank, ask them for some of their filter media like a piece of their sponge, you will be able to put this piece into your filter area and once in there your tank will need something to feed the bacteria like a fish or shrimp.
If you cant get any used filter media then you could cycle with a guppy or two doing water changes every other day while checking your ammonia and nitrite readings or you can cycle without fish using ammonia is the quickest way. Plants will be ok either way during this time in your tank as they are not effected by ammonia and nitrites.

With a low bioload such as shrimp, plants could just be the media. When you buy aquatic plants that have been in a long established tank at the store, their leaves are covered with life, including lots of the nitrifying bacteria you are looking for.

Neither would I. On the other hand, a 2.5g would work as a well planted shrimp tank. If you'd plant well and start with no more than 5 shrimps I don't think you'd have any issues at all even without cycling. The bioload of shrimp is just so small. Have a look here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=141278